To the best of our knowledge he independent Frontier League has become the first pro baseball league to ban maple bats, a move approved unanimously by the league’s Board of Directors at the recent winter meetings. The ban begins with the 2009 season.To the best of our knowledge he independent Frontier League has become the first pro baseball league to ban maple bats, a move approved unanimously by the league’s Board of Directors at the recent winter meetings. The ban begins with the 2009 season.
"We have seen many incidents of maple bats breaking in a jagged fashion and becoming projectiles. We feel this could pose a risk to our players, on-field staffs, and fans," said Frontier League Commissioner Bill Lee. "Last season, there were bat ends that stuck in the ground like spears and we simply cannot put the people near the action in that kind of danger."
As part of the ban, all bats that are used will have to show their grain clearly so that the rule can be enforced by the League’s umpires. Any player using a maple bat will be ejected immediately from the game. In addition, the League office will impose a fine against the player and the manager of the player’s team.
The issue of maple bats is a contentious one, leading MLB to commission a study last summer on potential harm displayed by shattered bats.